@NamiKim_DogsSK TWITTER TEAM

During these wildfires, many dogs died or were seriously burned, injured, blinded or in serious respiratory conditions because they were unable to escape and get away from the fires.
This is because... they were tied, with chains and leashes, to poles or fences...
Unfortunately, in most of the Korean agricultural, rural, country and mountain areas, the elderly always keep their dogs tied/chained.
 

Despite the 2023 revision of South Korea’s Animal Protection Act—which mandates that pets kept outdoors must have a leash of at least two meters and requires basic hygiene and health checks—the reality on the ground remains grim. While the law theoretically aims to prevent extreme neglect, enforcement is severely lacking, leaving countless dogs to suffer in plain sight. Even the mandated two-meter leash, framed as a minimum standard, serves as a cruel and inhumane form of confinement for a sentient being.

Imagine spending your entire life tethered to a chain, confined to a small, often filthy space, exposed to the elements, and deprived of companionship. This is the daily reality for countless 'rural dogs' or 'yard dogs' across South Korea—animals treated as mere property guards rather than companions. They endure scorching summers and freezing winters, their collars digging into their necks and causing chronic wounds, all while receiving minimal, if any, veterinary care.
 

Even with the revised Animal Protection Act, lifelong tethering remains a pervasive issue. Weak enforcement and outdated cultural attitudes—where dogs are seen as tools rather than sentient beings—perpetuate this cycle of suffering. The two-meter leash requirement, though intended as a safeguard, is far from providing a life of dignity and freedom.

Urgent action is needed. Pet care education, animal registration, neutering support, and intervention in cases of neglect are critical, but they are not enough. South Korea must fundamentally shift its perspective on animal welfare. The government must enact stricter laws, ban lifelong tethering outright, and enforce severe penalties for neglect. Public awareness and education are crucial to reshaping societal attitudes.

No living being deserves a life of chains and suffering. South Korea must move beyond outdated practices and implement real change—not just minimum standards that continue to enable cruelty—if it truly seeks to protect its animals.​​​​